Do college club sports help with admissions?

I play soccer and am considering joining a club team in my senior year. Will colleges see this favorably, especially if I'm not pursuing soccer at a varsity level in college?

Absolutely, participating in a club sport like soccer can definitely be seen favorably by colleges, even if you're not planning to compete at the varsity level in college. Here's why -

1. Shows commitment: By joining a club team, it shows that you are dedicated to the sport. It demonstrates your time management skills, as you balance the responsibilities of this demanding commitment alongside your academic obligations.

2. Builds soft skills: Team sports like soccer are great for developing leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. These are all traits that colleges look for as they indicate how you might contribute to their campus community and interact with your peers.

3. Indicates well-roundedness: While top colleges do seek students with a "spike," or a highly-developed specialty, participation in club sports helps paint a fuller picture of you as a well-rounded individual with diverse interests and activities.

To make this extracurricular stand out on your application, try to take on a leadership role in the team. Being a captain or assistant captain, for example, indicates leadership and translates to a Tier 3 activity in the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars ranking. If you can't take up a leadership role, don't fret. Simply being a part of the team and contributing your best demonstrates your teamwork and discipline, which are valued skills.

Remember, it's never about the prestige of the activity, but what you derive from it and how you contribute to it. So go ahead, join that club team if you enjoy playing soccer and feel passionate about contributing to the squad!